What are some ways to treat Helicobacter pylory at home?

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Quick Answer

Treatment for helicobacter pylory involves antibiotics, which requires a prescription from a doctor, so total treatment at home is not possible, according to Mayo Clinic. Over-the-counter medications, such as Prilosec, Zantac and Pepto-Bismol, may help to ease symptoms.

In most cases doctors treat Helicobacter pylori with two types of antibiotics to prevent bacteria from becoming resistant to a particular antibiotic, explains Mayo Clinic. In addition, a doctor advises the patient to obtain an over-the-counter acid-suppressing drug. This helps to heal the lining of the stomach.

Some of the options for an acid-suppressing drug include proton pump inhibitors, histamine blockers and bismuth subsalicylate, states Mayo Clinic. Proton pump inhibitors help stop the stomach from producing acid. Some proton pump inhibitors include Nexium, Prevacid and Protonix. Histamine blockers work by blocking histamine, which triggers the production of acid. An example of a histamine blocker is Tagamet. Bismuth subsalicylate, or Pepto-Bismol, is a third option to suppress acid, and this medication works by coating the lining of the stomach.

About four weeks following treatment, a doctor may recommend that the patient undergo tests for Helicobacter pylori to ensure it is out of the body, claims Mayo Clinic. If the tests show the treatment was not successful, the doctor usually prescribes another round of antibiotics.